Red Bulls bid adieu to Giants Stadium
Several club legends return for final night at New York's soccer home
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That honor goes to Red Bull Arena, the team's 25,000-seat gem in Harrison, N.J. Because many are already calling Red Bull Arena the greatest soccer-specific stadium in the USA, there weren't many tears shed when the final whistle sounded Saturday night.
"I think it's extremely bittersweet because this has been our home since the inception of MLS," veteran defender Mike Petke said. "We played many games here, even when I was away from New York it was always a joy coming back. However we're looking to move into the best stadium in America and it's going to be unbelievable. While I will have the scars on my knees from the turf to remind me of my time here, it's going to be beautiful to play in Harrison, N.J. next year."
Some of the biggest names in club history came back for the final soccer game in Giants Stadium, including former midfield maestro Tab Ramos, who grew up in Harrison, N.J.
"To come here from the Cosmos days, get drafted by the Cosmos here, coming to practice every day for high school ... and go overseas and come back and play here for seven years," Ramos said. "Today was a day that I couldn't miss no matter what."
Giants Stadium was also special for Tony Meola, who grew up in the shadows of the stadium in Kearny and spent five years defending the home goal.
"For me, this is home," the former goalkeeper said. "Some guys won't have a real problem adjusting because they didn't grow up three miles from here watching the Cosmos and dreaming of this as where I wanted to play. This is where I dreamed of playing."
Even Youri Djorkaeff, the French World Cup winner who played two years with the Red Bulls, was emotional about the end of an era.
"I am sad, a little bit happy because it means that we will have a new stadium, although I have a lot of respect for the stadium ... but it's not a stadium for soccer," he said.
As for the trivia question answer for last goal scored in stadium history, that belongs to Matthew Mbuta, who struck for a penalty kick four minutes into second-half stoppage time.
Had the Cameroonian midfielder missed from the spot, Juan Pablo Angel would have had the honor.
"It would have been great to write your name down in the history of this stadium," Angel said. "But for me it's been a phenomenal ride since I came here. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and it's been an honor to be part of this league."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
